MUMBAI : Remote work is becoming a norm with organizations becoming more comfortable and trusting new work practices. While it may be good news for many people but as a manager, you may wonder What are some guidelines for managing remote team meetings? Having a remote team gives you wider access to the talent pool. It also saves you overhead costs, commuting costs, and a lot more stuff. 

Luckily, leading teams through successful projects have become more accessible and more efficient with many available tools and good practices. 

Below we have discussed the best tools to help you manage remote teams intuitively. 

Best Tools To Manage Remote Work: 

1.VeePN: 

VPN is a basic need for remote work. It helps you communicate with your team members and employees in a secure environment. VeePN Chrome extension provides you with the necessary protection of data and communications. Just add the Chrome VPN plugin to your browser to get unlimited access to global content, 100% protection, and high-speed Internet without compromising your productivity.  VPN browser download gives you quick access to instant protection while net surfing. VeePN is available as a free VPN download Chrome. 

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2.Friday: 

Friday is one of the hot and in-demand tools to stay connected with your remote team. It is an asynchronous operating system that complements Windows Team and Slack. It provides you with: 
●Automatic reporting
●Breaking the ice with interesting conversation cues.
●Minimum meetings with clear objective settings. 

3.Firstbase:  

Firstbase is another efficient remote work tool that helps teams achieve the best results with its: 

●onboarding systems
●Offboarding
●Expense management
●Setting up physical equipment
●Streamlines all communications and operations

4.Slack: 

It is one of the most revolutionary communication tools for remote teams. It is perfect for: 
●Managing projects
●Set up rooms for conversations and discussions
●Achieve goals by sharing clear objectives

5.Trello: 

It is a viable project management tool that improves productivity via Kanban project boards. The visual boards provide clarity of the tasks, clear instructions and objectives, and milestones to be achieved. Trello has become popular over time and is perfect for leading a remote team.  

10 Remote work rules for teams, leaders, and beginners:

Now, we come to the point of what are the best practices when working remotely. Leading remote teams can be overwhelming for the managers as well. Fortunately, by following a set of practices you can achieve great results. Managing remote teams is easier by understanding the needs of the team and requirements for the role. 

1.Set clear goals & Guidelines: 

First, you need to lay down clear guidelines, objectives, and goals for the entire team to follow. It helps to understand the vision of the leader and makes the task easier. Break down objectives into small tasks to make them doable. 

2.Provide Proper Tools:

Having proper tools makes the task half easier. Provide the best paraphernalia, comfortable chairs and table, and a fast Internet connection to boost productivity. Make communications stronger and faster so that it does not hinder quality.  

3.Avoid Micromanagement: 

Do not become overbearing and breathe down on your team's neck. It affects work quality immensely and gives poor results. Provide them with respectable space and realistic deadlines to complete the task. Make room for unforeseeable accidents, such as a power cut down, Internet break down, or some other issue. 

4.Provide Maximum Contact Options: 

Make communications faster and stronger. Provide your text, Facetime, and email details to each employee so that they can reach out on time with their issues. 

5.Provide Regular Feedback: 

Your feedback fuels their productivity. Help them thrive in their role by providing your constructive feedback. Guide and mentor them in their roles, and share your knowledge and experience with them. Your goal should be to develop your team emotionally and personally. It becomes especially very important with remote teams. 

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6.Celebrate Success: 

Share each success with a grandeur. With teammates, sometimes even thousands of miles apart, these celebrations help them cement their relationships. It becomes a reason for more productive performance in the future. 

7.Connect With Employees: 

While meetings can help you achieve your organizational goals, 1-on-1 meetings help your team members stay strong emotionally. Sometimes there are issues they cannot share with the whole team. Make sure you regularly make 1-on-1 meetings with all employees.  

8.Give Adjustment Period: 

Adjustment to a new role takes time sometimes. Give your employees a grace period to adjust to the new environment and colleagues. This goes a long way in terms of productivity. 

9.Social Interactions:

Ensure that you have created a separate space for social interactions as well. Friday remote working tool provides watercooler conversation ideas and helps employees break the ice in fun ways. You will notice an improvement when you incorporate this practice into your remote team.  

10.Develop Your Support Group: 

Your mental health is highly crucial for your team. Always ensure that you have your support system in place to help you thrive and lead them in better ways. 

Make It Rain With Remote Work: 
Apart from these practices, taking care of the emotional, physical, and mental well-being of your employees is also highly important. As a leader or manager, you need to be conscious, foresee the challenges, and help your remote team overcome them. Your empathy, honesty, and quality feedback will increase their productivity manifold.